About Niki Taylor
Nicole Renee Taylor was born on March 5, 1975, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Ken Taylor, a highway patrol officer, and Barbara Taylor, a photographer. Raised in a middle-class family with two sisters, Krissy (also a model who died in 1995 due to a heart condition) and Joelle, she grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida. At 13, she was scouted by a local modeling agent at a mall and signed with Irene Marie Models. At 14, she won a Fresh Faces modeling contest in New York, leading to a contract with Elite Model Management. She left high school at 16 to pursue modeling full-time, moving to New York. Taylor is of English and German descent, with her family rooted in the U.S. She has embraced her Florida upbringing, often citing it as the source of her down-to-earth persona. She is primarily known as Niki Taylor, though professionally credited as both Niki and Nikki Taylor. In the 1990s, she was nicknamed “Baby Supermodel” by media for her youthful rise to fame.
Taylor rose to fame in the early 1990s as a supermodel, known for her fresh-faced beauty and all-American charm. She appeared on over 300 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., French), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Allure, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she debuted in 1997 and landed the cover in 1998. Her breakthrough came at 15 with her 1991 Seventeen cover, followed by a historic co-cover of Vogue in 1992 with nine other supermodels, shot by Patrick Demarchelier. She starred in campaigns for CoverGirl (a multi-year contract), Tommy Hilfiger, and L’Oréal, and was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1997 to 2000, appearing in catalogs and the 1998 and 1999 fashion shows. She walked runways for Ralph Lauren, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana. Notable moments include her 1996 Allure cover with Tyra Banks and her 1999 Marie Claire shoot. Taylor continues modeling, appearing in Vogue Mexico (2023) and CoverGirl’s 2024 campaign.
In 1996, Taylor posed for a Playboy pictorial, featuring tasteful nudity shot by photographer David LaChapelle. The shoot was praised for its artistic approach, highlighting her natural beauty and confidence, though it sparked minor debate among fans accustomed to her wholesome image. She has also done nude work in fashion editorials, such as a 1998 W magazine shoot, where nudity was used for artistic minimalism. Taylor described these projects as empowering, emphasizing creative control and body positivity.
Taylor signed with Elite Model Management in 1989, later working with IMG Models and Ford Models. She maintains ties with global agencies for her ongoing work. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Seventeen. A favorite of photographers like Demarchelier and Russell James, she embodied 1990s youthful glamour. Her Sports Illustrated work was featured in the magazine’s 50th-anniversary exhibition (2014).
Taylor has a strong social media presence, with over 200,000 Instagram followers (@nikitaylorinc). She shares modeling shots, family moments, and advocacy for burn survivors, promoting her Niki Taylor Foundation and engaging fans with her resilience.
At 5’11” with blonde hair and blue eyes, Taylor’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34B bra size. Known for her radiant smile, high cheekbones, and athletic frame, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries, crediting her look to fitness and skincare. She has a small butterfly tattoo on her lower back and ear piercings.
Taylor’s appeal lies in her approachable beauty and enduring positivity. Fans and brands, like CoverGirl, praise her as “America’s sweetheart” for her warmth and professionalism. Her glowing skin, expressive eyes, and wholesome charm are often highlighted, with her comeback story setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $18 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (CoverGirl, Liz Claiborne), her Victoria’s Secret work, and her Niki Taylor fragrance line. She was a top-earning model in the 1990s, though a near-fatal accident in 2001 paused her career.
Taylor faced significant personal challenges rather than controversies. In 2001, she survived a near-fatal car accident in Atlanta, suffering severe injuries, including a collapsed lung and liver damage, requiring over 50 surgeries. Her recovery was widely covered, and she became an advocate for trauma survivors. Her 1996 Playboy shoot drew minor criticism from conservative fans, but she defended it as a creative choice.
Her acting roles are limited, with appearances in The Apprentice (2011, as herself) and Make Me a Supermodel (2008, guest judge). She starred in music videos, including Keith Urban’s Somebody Like You (2002). Taylor appeared on TV in The Tyra Banks Show (2005), The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Good Morning America, discussing her accident and recovery. She featured in The Super Models (2023, docuseries, as a guest), Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: 50 Years of Beautiful (2014), and Celebrity Paranoid (2005, reality show).
Taylor was married to football player Matt Martinez (1994–1996), with whom she has twin sons, Jake and Hunter (born 1994). She married NASCAR driver Burney Lamar in 2006, and they have two children, Ciel (born 2009) and Rex (born 2011). She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, raising her children and supporting their endeavors.
Taylor’s legacy lies in her role as a 1990s supermodel and her inspiring recovery from a life-threatening accident. Her Victoria’s Secret work and CoverGirl campaigns made her a household name, influencing models like Taylor Hill. Her Niki Taylor Foundation supports burn and trauma survivors, and she works with the American Red Cross. Her resilience inspires fans and peers.
As of 2025, Taylor models selectively, appearing in campaigns for Talbots and editorials like Elle U.S.. She promotes her foundation and skincare tips via Instagram, engages in philanthropy, and focuses on her family. She maintains her status as a beloved figure in fashion and advocacy.
